US20070078543A1 - Method of combining audio signals in a wireless communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

A wireless communication device mixes audio content by combining audio signals from two or more different audio sources available at the wireless communication device and directing the mixed audio signal to a selected audio output circuit included in or associated with the wireless communication device. The audio signals can comprise received audio signals, stored audio signals, or a combination thereof. The audio signals can be synchronized, and one or more video signals may be synchronized with them. In at least one embodiment, the wireless communication device includes one or more circuits, such as a baseband or system processor, configured as a mixing circuit. An included (mixing) control circuit may be configured to control a user interface of the wireless communication device to support audio source selections, mixed audio signal output destinations, and audio signal control (volume, tone, etc.) for audio signals included in the mixed audio signal.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to wireless communication devices, such as cellular radiotelephones, and particularly relates to mixing audio content in wireless communication devices.
• Wireless communication devices historically provided only basic communication functions. Limited battery performance and the lack of inexpensive user interface elements (graphical displays, decent audio components, etc.) represent some of the reasons underlying the paucity of extra features in older wireless communication devices. Further, network capabilities played into the mix of feature inclusion considerations. Early wireless communication networks offered traditional circuit-switched voice and fax services, and little else.
• As such, “live” voice communications represented the only source for the audio signals handled by these older, traditional communication handsets. In contrast, contemporary wireless communication devices generally must select and play desired audio (and video) content from a variety of possible sources. The added complexity arises because contemporary wireless communication devices and their supporting networks offer a range of functions and services.
• For example, increased data rates and support for Internet protocols enable the delivery of multimedia content by current wireless communication networks to appropriately configured portable devices. Moreover, the increased memory and improved user interfaces of such devices enhance their users' multimedia playback experience and, against this backdrop, it is not uncommon for a communication handset to double as a music or multimedia player, capable of playing audio and/or video content received over the air in a streaming format or as a file download, or transferred to the handset through its local communication interface (e.g., USB port).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The methods and devices taught herein provide a wireless communication device that combines (mixes) audio signals from different sources to form a mixed audio signal and to direct the mixed audio signal to a selected output circuit included in or associated with the wireless communication device. According to one embodiment, a method comprises combining audio signals from two or more different audio sources available at the wireless communication device to form a mixed audio signal and directing the mixed audio signal to a selected audio output circuit included in or associated with the wireless communication device.
• By way of non-limiting example, the wireless communication device, which may comprise a cellular radiotelephone, mixes audio signals from different sources for output to its included speaker(s) or for external output to a hands-free speaker. The mixed audio signal may include audio content from an ongoing voice call with audio content received through a concurrent multimedia call or played back from a local memory store of the device. As a further non-limiting example, the device may mix local audio (e.g., microphone input) with audio content being received by the device through a cellular or other wireless communication link or being played back from a local memory store, for outgoing transmission.
• Thus, in one or more embodiments, the wireless communication device comprises circuitry operable to combine audio signals from two or more different audio sources available at the wireless communication device to form a mixed audio signal and to direct the mixed audio signal to a selected audio output circuit included in or associated with the wireless communication device. It should be understood that the selected audio output “circuit” may comprise a transmitter for outgoing transmission of mixed audio on a cellular or short-range link and/or may comprise any one or more of the device's local audio output circuits (earpiece output, internal speaker output, hands free output, etc.) It further should be understood that the mixing circuitry, referred to herein as a “mixer circuit” may be implemented in hardware, in software, or in any combination thereof. Thus, the mixer circuit may comprise digital circuits, analog circuits, or some mix thereof.
• Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above features and advantages. Those skilled in the art will recognize additional features and advantages upon reading the following detailed description, and upon viewing the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless communication device that includes one or more audio processing circuits for combining audio signals.
• FIG. 2 is a logic flow diagram of one embodiment for combining audio signals by a wireless communication device.
• FIG. 3 is a logic flow diagram of another embodiment for combining audio signals by a wireless communication device.
• FIG. 4 is a logic flow diagram of another embodiment for combining audio signals by a wireless communication device.
• FIG. 5 is a logic flow diagram of another embodiment for combining audio signals by a wireless communication device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram of awireless communication device10 that comprises a receive/transmit antenna12, awireless communication circuit14, baseband/system control circuits16,memory circuits18, input/output (I/O)interface circuits20, and a user interface including amicrophone22, aspeaker24, an audio line outcircuit26, acamera28, avibrator30, akeypad32, and adisplay screen34. Of course, it should be understood that one or more of the illustrated user interface devices may be omitted from thewireless communication device10, or other user interface elements may be added, as needed or desired, and it should be understood that the term “wireless communication device” as used herein should be construed broadly. Non-limiting examples of such devices include cellular communication handsets and other types of mobile stations, wireless PDAs, palmtop/laptop computers, pagers, and the like.
• Further, it should be understood that thewireless communication circuit14 can comprise any suitable circuits capable of transmitting and receiving wireless signals such as a wireless transmitter and receiver or a wireless transceiver. In one embodiment, the wireless communication circuit at least comprises a cellular communication transceiver, e.g., a receiver circuit that is configured to provide signal information obtained from over-the-air signals received from a supportingwireless communication network38 to the baseband/system control circuits16, and a transmitter circuit that is configured to generate/transmit over-the-air signals to thenetwork38 responsive to transmit signal information output by the baseband/system control circuits16.
• Additionally, or alternatively, thewireless communication circuit14 may comprise or include other types of wireless interfaces, e.g., transceiver circuits, configured for wide area and/or local area communication. Non-limiting examples include radio transceiver circuits configured for WiMax (IEEE 802.16), WiFi (IEEE 802.11b/g) communication, and Bluetooth or other Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) standards. In general, it should be understood that thedevice10 can be configured to support local and longer-range wireless communication, and that, as taught herein, audio content for mixing may be received through any one or more of such interfaces, and mixed audio content may be directed to any one or more of such interfaces for output.
• With this flexibility in mind, and as explained in detail later herein, the baseband/system control circuits16 included audio mixing circuit(s)36 that are configured to select audio signals from two or more different audio sources available at the wireless communication device, combine the selected audio signals to form a mixed audio signal, and direct the mixed audio signal to a selected audio output circuit included in or associated with thewireless communication device10. As one example, the (audio mixing) circuits may be implemented in software by executing program instructions on a general purpose or specialized digital processing circuit.
• On that point, it should be noted that the baseband/system control circuits16 can be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the baseband/system control circuits16 comprise one or more digital processing circuits configured to process signal information received and transmitted by thewireless communication circuit14, and to control overall operation of the wireless communication device, including the device's user interface circuits. As such, the baseband/system control circuits16 may comprise one or more general purpose microprocessors executing appropriate computer program instructions, and/or one or more Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), or any suitable combination thereof.
• In any case, thewireless communication circuit14 represents one source of audio signals that may be selected for audio mixing as taught herein. For example, thewireless communication circuit14 may receive voice on one communication channel signal and receive music or other multimedia content on another communication channel, and either or both such signals may be used for audio mixing. In general, audio content obtained from one or more over-the-air signals received by thewireless communication circuit14 may be selected for inclusion in a mixed audio signal formed by a mixing circuit included as hardware, software, or any combination thereof, in the baseband/system control circuits16.
• Regardless of mixing circuit implementation details, thewireless communication device10 may be configured to carry out a method of mixing audio content comprising combining audio signals from two or more different audio sources available at thedevice10 to form a mixed audio signal, and directing the mixed audio signal to a selected audio output circuit included in or associated with thedevice10. Audio output circuits available for selection include, but are not limited to, thespeaker24, the audio line out circuit26 (which may drive a headset or other hands-free communication set), and the wireless communication circuit14 (i.e., audio output for transmission over the air interface of the device10).
• To support such functionality, thedevice10 may be configured to use one or more elements of the user interface to provide audio controls for one or more of the audio signals included in the mixed audio signal. For example, configuring the device's user interface may comprise configuring the user interface to provide independent volume or tonal control of at least one of the audio signals included in the mixed audio signal. Such controls may comprise adjustment options/instructions displayed on thedisplay34 and adjustment controls comprising keys included in thekeypad32 or soft keys on thedisplay34.
• Regardless of such implementation details, the audio signals to be mixed may comprise a first audio signal obtained from an over-the-air signal being received by thedevice10 and a second audio signal obtained from stored audio content held in thememory18 of the device. Thememory18 may comprise one or more memory circuits and may comprise any one or more of volatile and non-volatile memory circuits, such as EEPROM, FLASH, MRAM, SRAM, DRAM, etc. In this context, the step of directing the mixed audio signal to a selected audio output circuit included in or associated with thedevice10 may comprise one of directing the mixed audio signal to an internal or external speaker output of the device10 (e.g., to thespeaker24 or to the audio output circuit26), or to thewireless transmitter circuit14 for over-the-air transmission. Such capabilities allow, for example, audio content received on a given communication channel to be mixed with locally stored audio content for local playback or for retransmission.
• In another signal mixing combination, the audio signals comprise first and second audio signals obtained from over-the-air signals being received by thedevice10 via thewireless communication circuit14. The mixed audio signal may be directed to thespeaker24 or to theaudio output circuit26 for local playback, or may direct thewireless communication circuit14 for over-the-air transmission to a remote receiver. Such capabilities allow, for example, audio content received on two different communication channels to be mixed together for local output or for retransmission.
• In another signal mixing combination, the audio signals comprise a first audio signal obtained from an audio input circuit of the device (e.g., the microphone22), and a second audio signal obtained from thewireless communication circuit14 or from the memory18 (e.g., stored audio content). Such capabilities allow, for example, a user's voice or other local audio input to be mixed with audio content from a received signal (e.g., audio content in a voice or data call), for transmission over the air interface or for local output at thedevice10.
• In another mixing signal combination, the audio signals comprise first and second audio signals obtained from stored audio content held in thememory18 of thedevice10. As such, directing the mixed audio signal to a selected audio output circuit included in or associated with thedevice10 may comprise directing the mixed audio signal to thespeaker24 or to theaudio output circuit26, or to thewireless communication circuit14 for over-the-air transmission.
• Of course, it should be understood that the circuit(s)36 can be configured to mix audio signals from a variety of audio sources, such as audio signals obtained from first and second communication channels, respectively, being received through thewireless communication circuit14. Thus, audio content from a first call may be mixed with audio content from a second, concurrent call, for output to thespeaker24, theaudio output circuit26, or for retransmission by thewireless communication circuit14. Such a configuration allows, for example, thewireless communication device10 to mix together audio from different calling parties or to mix voice from one channel with music from another channel.
• In this mixing context, and in others, the circuit(s)36 may be configured to form the mixed audio signal based on synchronizing two or more of the included audio signals. For example, playback of a stored music file may be synchronized to the start of voice call or to an incoming audio stream received over the air interface. Moreover, as detailed later herein, synchronized mixing also may include the synchronization of one or more video signals with the audio content. For example, the circuit(s)36 may synchronize video output shown on thedisplay34 with the mixed audio signal, or with a particular one of the audio signals included in the mixed audio signal.
• With or without such synchronization, the circuit(s)36 also may be configured to direct the mixed audio signal to a selected audio output circuit based on selecting a particular audio output circuit for the mixed audio signal in accordance with one or a combination of a user input selection, a content type of one or more of the audio signals, a content protection scheme of one or more of the audio signals, or a frequency response of one or more of the audio signals. As an example, rights-management information associated with a stored music file may allow the corresponding audio content to be output in analog format on thespeaker24 or on theaudio output circuit26, but disallow digital (or analog) retransmission. As such, mixed audio signals containing such rights-protected content may be automatically steered to one or more of the allowed outputs, and automatically disallowed from being steered to thewireless communication circuit14 for retransmission. Other selection schemes may be implemented as well, such as selecting theaudio output circuit26 by default for mixed audio signals that include music for local playback.
• The circuit(s)36 also may be configured to adjust volume or tone of one or more of the audio signals included in the mixed audio signal as a function of one or more of audio signal source type, audio signal content protection scheme, or audio signal frequency response. As one example, the circuit(s)36 may be configured to automatically mix the audio signal from an incoming voice call with the audio signal from any ongoing music playback to form the mixed audio signal for output to thespeaker24, for example. Further, the music playback volume can be decreased as part of that automatic mixing, so that the voice call is easily audible over the music. This method enables a user of thedevice10 to make and receive phone calls while simultaneously listening to music or other audio content. The outgoing voice signal also may include mixed content, so that the calling party hears the same music or other audio content as a “background” to the voice call.
• Volume and tonal control may make use of the relatively rich user interface controls available at thedevice10. For example, the circuit(s)36 may functionally include a control circuit that is configured to use thekeypad32 and/ordisplay34 of the device's user interface to provide independent volume or tonal control of at least one of the audio signals included in the mixed audio signal. Thus, the audio signals included in a mixed audio signal may be identified on-screen and on-screen (and/or keypad) controls may be used to select one or more of the included audio signals for adjustment. Thus, the user may be given independent volume and tonal adjustments for any of the one or more audio signals included in the mixed audio signal. Such controls also may allow the user to select the particular audio signals to be mixed (or at least select the audio sources from which the constituent audio signals are to be selected for mixing), and to select the audio output circuit(s) to which a mixed audio signal should be directed. Of course, the controls may be configured to allow the user to set up default mixing scenarios (e.g., always mix incoming voice with currently playing music, etc.), preferred source and output circuits, and the like.
• With the above details and embodiments in mind,FIG. 2 illustrates processing logic embodying a method of combining audio signals from two or more different audio sources available at thedevice10 to form a mixed audio signal and directing the mixed audio signal to a selected audio output circuit included in or associated with thedevice10. For ease of description, the method (and variations of it) will be described in accordance with thedevice10 as illustrated inFIG. 1. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the method(s) described herein can be performed by essentially any suitably configured wireless communication device.
• The method begins with thewireless communication device10 selecting audio signals from two or more different audio sources available at the device10 (Step102). Such selection may be performed according to stored default information, or responsive to receiving selection inputs from a user of thedevice10. In any case, the audio signals can be received over the air by thewireless communication device10 from the supportingwireless communication network38 and/or can be accessed from memory such as thememory circuits18. For over-the-air reception of audio content, it should be understood that different communication channels may be involved. For example, voice may be received over a circuit-switched or a packet-switched communication channel established between thedevice10 and thenetwork38, and audio content (MP3, WMA, MPEG, streaming media, electronic feed such as podcast, etc.) can be received concurrently over another communication channel being supported by thedevice10.
• The method continues with the (mixing) circuit(s)36 combining the audio signals to form a mixed audio signal (Step104). The circuit(s)36 can comprise any suitable firmware and/or hardware capable of combining the audio signals as previously described. As such, it should be understood that digital, analog, and mixed digital/analog embodiments are contemplated herein, and that at least a portion of the circuit(s)36 may be implemented in the I/O interface circuits20, such as analog signal mixers, source and output selection circuits (e.g., muxes/demuxes).
• Regardless, the method continues with selecting an audio output circuit to receive the mixed audio signal (Step106). The selected audio output circuit can be any circuit included in or associated with thewireless communication device10 operable to receive audio signals. For example, the selected output circuit can be one or more of the user interface devices22-34 and/or a wireless transmitter of thewireless communication circuit14.
• For illustrative purposes only, the I/O interface circuits20 can select the audio output circuit to receive the mixed audio signal. Alternatively, the baseband/system control circuits16 can provide one or more control signals to the I/O interface circuits20 and/or thewireless communication circuit14, thereby directing the I/O interface circuits20 and/or thewireless communication circuit14 to select one or more audio output circuits. An audio output circuit can be selected in accordance with any suitable criterion, such as, for example, a user input, a content type of one or more of the audio signals, a content protection scheme of one or more of the audio signals, or a frequency response of one or more of the audio signals.
• For illustrative purposes only, the one or moreaudio processing circuits36 can prevent the mixed audio signal from being directed to a wireless transmitter of thewireless communication circuit14 for transmission over thewireless communication network38 if one or more of the combined audio signals are protected by a content protection scheme such as Digital Rights Management (DRM). In another non-limiting illustrative example, the one or moreaudio processing circuits36 can direct the mixed audio signal to an audio output circuit as directed by a user of thedevice10, for example.
• The method continues with directing the mixed audio signal to the selected audio output circuit (Step108). A given mixed audio signal can be directed to the I/O interface circuits20, so that it can be directed to one or more audio output circuits, and the same of different mixed audio signals can be directed simultaneously to more than one audio output circuit, e.g., to thespeaker24 and to theaudio output circuit26. Moreover, the same or different mixed audio signals can be directed simultaneously to the I/O interface circuits20 and to thewireless communication circuit14. Thus, mixed audio can be output locally and transmitted over the air interface for remote output.
• FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of processing logic similar to that shown inFIG. 2, but including audio synchronization logic that may be used in generating the mixed audio signal. As such, two or more of the audio signals to be included in the mixed audio signal can be synchronized as part of the mixing operations.
• The method begins with automatic or user-based selection of audio signals from two or more different audio sources available at thedevice10 as previously described (Step112). The method continues with the one or moreaudio processing circuits36 synchronizing the audio signals before combining them (Step114). That is, the one or moreaudio processing circuits36 synchronize time and/or playback references in the audio signals to produce a synchronized audio mix.
• As one example, playback of a selected audio file can be configured to start in synchronization with the start of a voice conversation. As another example, two stored files, such as a podcast commentary file and a music file, can be synchronized for simultaneous, mixed playback (e.g., the music serves as background for the podcast commentary). Regardless, the one or moreaudio processing circuits36 can synchronize the audio signals automatically, that is, without user intervention, in accordance with some predetermined synchronization algorithm. Alternatively, the one or moreaudio processing circuits36 can synchronize the audio signals in accordance with a user input, for example, by the user selecting one or more keys of thekeypad32 or by voice command. In any case, the method continues with combining the synchronized audio signals (Step116), selecting an audio output circuit to receive the mixed audio signal (Step118), and directing the mixed audio signal to the selected audio output circuit (Step120), each as previously described.
• FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of processing logic that is similar to that shown inFIG. 2, but including video synchronization processing logic wherein one or more video signals are also selected for synchronization with one or more of the audio signals included in the mixed audio signal, or with the mixed audio signal itself. As such, a video signal can be directed to a particular video output circuit in synchronization with the mixed audio signal being directed to a particular audio output circuit. The method begins with thewireless communication device10 selecting audio signals from two or more different audio sources available at thedevice10, as previously described, and selecting a source for one or more video signals also available at the device10 (Step132). For illustrative purposes only, the video signal can be a video component of a multimedia signal, such as a multimedia signal derived from an MPEG file. In that context, one of the audio signals to be mixed is the audio content from a stored multimedia file.
• The method continues with the one or moreaudio processing circuits36 determining whether to synchronize the video signal(s) with one or more of the audio signals before or after the audio signals are combined (Step134). If the one or moreaudio processing circuits36 determine to synchronize prior to combining the audio signals, then the one or moreaudio processing circuits36 synchronize the video signal(s) with one or more of the audio signals (Step136). That is, the one or moreaudio processing circuits36 cause one or more audio signals and the video signal(s) to be aligned with near precise coincidence in time or rate. The one or moreaudio processing circuits36 can synchronize the audio and video signals automatically or in response to a user input, both as previously described. The audio signals are then combined to form a mixed audio signal (Step138) as previously described.
• If the one or moreaudio processing circuits36 determine to synchronize after combining the audio signals, then the method continues with combining the audio signals to form a mixed audio signal (Step140) as previously described. The one or moreaudio processing circuits36 then synchronize the video signal(s) with the mixed audio signal (Step142) as previously described. That is, the one or moreaudio processing circuits36 cause the mixed audio signal and the video signal(s) to be aligned with near precise coincidence in time or rate. The one or moreaudio processing circuits36 can synchronize the audio and video signals automatically or in response to a user input, both as previously described.
• Regardless of when signal synchronization occurs, the method continues with selecting an audio output circuit to receive the mixed audio signal, as previously described, and selecting a video output circuit to receive the video signals (Step144). The selected video output circuit can be any circuit included in or associated with thewireless communication device10 operable to receive video signals. For example, the selected video output circuit can bedisplay screen34 and/or a wireless transmitter of thecellular communication circuit14. For illustrative purposes only, the I/O interface circuits20 can select the video output circuit to receive the video signal. Alternatively, the baseband/system control circuits16 can provide one or more control signals to the I/O interface circuits20 and/or thecellular communication circuit14, thereby directing the I/O interface circuits20 and/or thecellular communication circuit14 to select one or more video output circuits.
• A video output circuit can be selected in accordance with any suitable parameter, such as, for example, a user input, a content type of the video signal, or a content protection scheme of the video signal. For illustrative purposes only, the circuit(s)36 can be configured to prevent the video signal from being transmitted over the air interface of thedevice10 if the video signal is protected by a content protection scheme such as DRM. In another illustrative example, the baseband/system control circuits16 can direct the video signal to a video output circuit as directed by a user of thewireless communication device10, for example, by the user selecting one or more keys of thekeypad32 or by voice command.
• Regardless, the method continues with directing the mixed audio signal to the selected audio output device, as previously described, and directing the video signal(s) to the selected video output circuit (Step146). For illustrative purposes only, the mixed audio signal and synchronized video signal can be directed to the I/O interface circuits20 and/or one or both of them can be directed to thewireless communication circuit14 for over-the-air transmission.
• FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of processing logic that is similar to that shown inFIG. 2, but including processing logic for adjusting audio characteristics (e.g., volume, tone, etc.) of one or more of the audio signals included in the audio mix. In more detail, audio characteristics, such as volume, frequency, tone, or bass, can be adjusted for any audio signal in the mix independent of other audio signals in the mix.
• The method begins with the selection of audio signals from the desired audio sources, as previously described (Step152). The method continues with adjusting one or more audio characteristics of one or more of the audio signals (Step154). Such adjustments may be made prior to outputting the mixed audio signal, or may be made dynamically one or more times during output of the mixed audio signal.
• Additionally, an audio characteristic of an audio signal can be adjusted in accordance with one or more of a user input, a content type of one or more of the audio signals, a content protection scheme of one or more of the audio signals, or a frequency response of one or more of the audio signals. For illustrative purposes only, the one or moreaudio processing circuits36 can decrease the volume of a stored audio signal being mixed with a real-time audio signal so that the real-time audio signal is more audible than the stored audio signal when the real-time audio signal is being received by thewireless communication device10. The method continues with combining the audio signals (Step156), selecting an audio output circuit to receive the mixed audio signal (Step158), and directing the mixed audio signal to the selected audio output circuit (Step160), each as previously described.
• The several embodiments described herein teach a wireless communication device and a method of mixing audio content in a wireless communication device comprising combining audio signals from two or more different audio sources available at the wireless communication device to form a mixed audio signal and directing the mixed audio signal to a selected audio output circuit included in or associated with the wireless communication device. The audio signals can comprise real-time audio signals received over the air interface of the device, for example, or stored audio signals, or any combination thereof. The audio signals can be synchronized as part of the mixing process, and one or more video signals can be synchronized as well. Further, the mixing process can be configured to allow for independent audio adjustments to be made to any one or more of the audio signals included in the mixed audio signal.
• Thus, while the invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited by the foregoing description, nor is it limited by the accompanying drawings. Instead, the present invention is limited only by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims (30)

1. A method of mixing audio content in a wireless communication device, comprising:

combining audio signals from two or more different audio sources available at the wireless communication device to form a mixed audio signal; and

directing the mixed audio signal to a selected audio output circuit included in or associated with the wireless communication device.

2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising configuring a user interface of the wireless communication device to provide audio controls for one or more of the audio signals included in the mixed audio signal.

3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein configuring a user interface of the wireless communication device to provide audio controls for one or more of the audio signals included in the mixed audio signal comprises configuring the user interface to provide independent volume or tonal control of at least one of the audio signals included in the mixed audio signal.

4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the audio signals comprise a first audio signal obtained from an over-the-air signal being received by the wireless communication device and a second audio signal obtained from stored audio content held in a memory of the wireless communication device.

5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein directing the mixed audio signal to a selected audio output circuit included in or associated with the wireless communication device comprises one of directing the mixed audio signal to an internal or external speaker output of the wireless communication device, or to a wireless transmitter circuit of the wireless communication device for over-the-air transmission.

6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the audio signals comprise first and second audio signals obtained from over-the-air signals being received by the wireless communication device.

7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein directing the mixed audio signal to a selected audio output circuit included in or associated with the wireless communication device comprises one of directing the mixed audio signal to an internal or external speaker output of the wireless communication device, or to a wireless transmitter circuit of the wireless communication device for over-the-air transmission.

8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the audio signals comprise a first audio signal obtained from an audio input circuit of the wireless communication device and a second audio signal obtained from one of an over-the-air signal being received by the wireless communication device or stored audio content held in a memory of the wireless communication device.

9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein directing the mixed audio signal to a selected audio output circuit included in or associated with the wireless communication device comprises one of directing the mixed audio signal to an internal or external speaker output of the wireless communication device, or to a wireless transmitter circuit of the wireless communication device for over-the-air transmission.

10. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the audio signals comprise first and second audio signals obtained from stored audio content held in a memory of the wireless communication device and wherein directing the mixed audio signal to a selected audio output circuit included in or associated with the wireless communication device comprises directing the mixed audio signal to an internal or external speaker output of the wireless communication device, or to a wireless transmitter circuit of the wireless communication device for over-the-air transmission.

11. The method ofclaim 1, wherein directing the mixed audio signal to the selected audio output circuit comprises directing the mixed audio signal to a wireless transmitter circuit of the wireless communication device for over-the-air transmission.

12. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the audio signals comprise first and second audio signals being received over-the-air by the wireless communication device on first and second communication channels, respectively.

13. The method ofclaim 1, wherein combining audio signals from two or more different audio sources available at the wireless communication device to form a mixed audio signal includes synchronizing two or more of the audio signals before combining them.

14. The method ofclaim 1, wherein directing the mixed audio signal to a selected audio output circuit included in or associated with the wireless communication device comprises selecting an audio output circuit for the mixed audio signal in accordance with one or a combination of a user input selection, a content type of one or more of the audio signals, a content protection scheme of one or more of the audio signals, or a frequency response of one or more of the audio signals.

15. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising synchronizing one or more video signals from one or more video sources available at the wireless communication device with one or more of the audio signals or with the mixed audio signal.

16. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising adjusting volume or tone of one or more of the audio signals included in the mixed audio signal as a function of one or more of audio signal source type, audio signal content protection scheme, or audio signal frequency response.

17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein adjusting volume or tone of one or more of the audio signals included in the mixed audio signal as a function of one or more of audio signal source type, audio signal content protection scheme, or audio signal frequency response comprises reducing a playback volume of one or more music signals being played at the wireless communication device responsive to mixing in a voice-call audio signal.

18. The method ofclaim 1, wherein directing the mixed audio signal to a selected audio output circuit included in or associated with the wireless communication device comprises restricting the selection of one or more audio output circuits if one of the audio signals included in the mixed audio signal includes rights-protected audio content.

19. A wireless communication device, comprising one or more circuits configured to:

select audio signals from two or more different audio sources available at the wireless communication device;

combine the selected audio signals to form a mixed audio signal; and

direct the mixed audio signal to a selected audio output circuit included in or associated with the wireless communication device.

20. The wireless communication device ofclaim 19, wherein the one or more circuits comprise a digital processing circuit executing audio mixing computer program instructions.

21. The wireless communication device ofclaim 19, wherein the one or more circuits comprise a combination of digital and analog mixing circuits.

22. The wireless communication device ofclaim 19, wherein the one or more circuits include a control circuit configured to control a user interface of the wireless communication device to permit a user to perform at least one of the following actions: selecting desired audio sources for mixing, selecting a desired audio output circuit for the mixed audio signal, and independently controlling audio volume or tone of one or more of the audio signals included in the mixed audio signal.

23. The wireless communication device ofclaim 19, wherein the one or more circuits comprise an audio mixing circuit implemented in a baseband communication processor or a system processor included in the wireless communication device.

24. The communication device ofclaim 19, wherein the one or more circuits are configured to use a user interface of the wireless communication device to provide independent volume or tonal control of at least one of the audio signals included in the mixed audio signal.

25. The wireless communication device ofclaim 19, wherein the one or more circuits include or are associated with a rights-management circuit that is configured to perform at least one of the following actions: restricting selection of audio sources for mixing according to rights-management information, and restricting selection of audio output circuits for outputting the mixed audio signal according to rights-management information.

26. The wireless communication device ofclaim 19, wherein the one or more circuits are configured to mix one or more audio signals obtained from one or more over-the-air signals received by a wireless receiver circuit of the wireless communication device, with one or more audio signals obtained from stored audio content held in a memory of the wireless communication device.

27. The wireless communication device ofclaim 19, wherein the one or more circuits are configured to mix two or more audio signals obtained from two or more over-the-air signals received by a wireless receiver circuit of the wireless communication device.

28. The wireless communication device ofclaim 19, wherein the one or more circuits are configured to mix audio signals from any combination of local or remote audio sources, and to direct the mixed audio signal to a wireless transmitter circuit of the wireless communication device for transmission to a remote receiver.

29. The wireless communication device ofclaim 19, wherein the one or more circuits are configured to synchronize two or more of the audio signals included in the mixed audio signal.

30. The wireless communication device ofclaim 19, wherein the one or more circuits are configured to synchronize a video signal to one or more of the audio signals included in the mixed audio signal.

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